India test fires Russian rocket
India has test-fired a Russian rocket which is part of an advanced weapons system it may buy, but is insisting the test was routine.
The rocket, launched off the east coast of India, is part of the Smerch and Grad multiple-launch rocket systems Russia hopes to sell to India, said ministry spokesman PK Bandopadhyay.
He said the ministry does not consider the test in the same class as when Pakistan test-fired a missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads into Indian territory, as the two country's appeared headed to war.
"This is a routine testing program. It has nothing to do with present tensions between India and Pakistan," Mr Bandopadhyay said.
Last week, India test-fired two heat-seeking anti-tank missiles from the same site in eastern Orissa state, which the ministry also said was part of the country's ongoing missile development program.
In Pakistan, government spokesman Major General. Rashid Qureshi said Islamabad could not comment until they knew more details about the test firing.
Analysts said the test was unlikely to raise tensions with Pakistan. They added it also did not appear to be a move by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's to boost his popularity by appearing to strengthen the country's defences.
"India is planning to buy Smerch and is conducting trials. It is normal and routine. This has nothing to with the tension with Pakistan or anything else," said Bharat Varma, editor of the quarterly Indian Defence Review.
